April 2015: Bhayangkara hospital used as place of torture by police

In brief

At the end of April 2015, there were at least 44 political prisoners in Papua.

Papuan human rights groups reported two new cases of torture in Pirime and Lanny Jaya in the Central Highlands. In Lanny Jaya, two men were tortured in relation to the possession of a pistol belonging to a deceased relative which they had attempted to hand over to authorities in response to a weapons amnesty. In Pirime, two teenagers were arrested and tortured following a military raid on a village church. Cabang Tabuni, one of the two victims, died after more than six months in police detention suffering from serious gunshot injuries without receiving medical treatment.

One of the Lanny Jaya victims, Kamori Murib, and the two teenagers in the Pirime case were taken to Bhayangkara hospital in Jayapura to receive treatment after being tortured by security forces. All three victims received insufficient medical care. Murib continued to be tortured and cruelly treated in hospital, including being doused in scalding water, forced nudity and forced feeding on fish bones. Oktovianus Tabuni, a 15-year-old boy, was smuggled out of the hospital by local human rights workers so that he could receive treatment elsewhere. Upon receiving surgery in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, a pair of surgical clamps was found in his abdomen, demonstrating an abominable level of negligence at Bhayangkara hospital. This is the third case recorded by Papuans Behind Bars where detainees continued to be tortured or received dire medical treatment at Bhayangkara hospital.

The use of Bhayangkara hospital as a place of torture under the total control of the police negates the idea of hospitals as traditionally ‘safe’ spaces for healing. The freedom enjoyed by police to torture detainees at Bhayangkara hospital perfectly illustrates the entrenched culture of impunity in Papua. Furthermore, this dynamic of public torture perpetuates a culture of fear and domination and breeds distrust among indigenous Papuans towards state institutions.

Violence perpetrated by military and police forces has reportedly resulted in the displacement of up to 20,000 people in Lanny Jaya and Yahukimo. In Pirime district in Lanny Jaya alone, Papuan human rights groups reported the displacement of 12,000 people, more than half of the district’s population. Forcibly uprooted communities were reported to have fled to forests to seek temporary shelter from the violence and as a result are facing starvation and illness. Such conflict areas are often remote and heavily controlled by security forces, making it difficult for independent reporting on human rights violations. Furthermore, the complex system imposed by the Indonesian government in allowing access for humanitarian agencies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross to Papua restricts the availability of aid to displaced communities. Additionally, the lack of free and open access for international humanitarian agencies makes it impossible to get timely and accurate information on the scale of the problem of internally displaced persons in Papua. According to information received from Papuan civil society groups, displacement is causing a growing humanitarian crisis in these remote conflict areas.

Arrests

264 arrested for commemorating 1 May

Papuan civil society groups reported the arrest of 264 people in Manokwari, Jayapura, Merauke and Kaimana in relation to the commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of the administrative transfer of Papua to Indonesia. There were reports of ill-treatment and intimidation of demonstrators. Two KNPB members in Kaimana and one university student in Manokwari remain in detention.

Manokwari

On 30 April, 12 members of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) were arrested for distributing leaflets about a peaceful commemorative action planned for the next day. Manokwari police fired four warning shots on arrest. It is believed that all four have been released without charge.

On 1 May, a demonstration led by the KNPB and joined by other Manokwari-based groups was forcibly dispersed by Manokwari and Brimob police. At around 08:00 local time, Brimob officers arrested 79 demonstrators, forcibly dragging them onto police trucks and severely beating them on arrest. At 09:30, a second group of demonstrators gathered in front of the State University of Papua (Universitas Negeri Papua, UNIPA) campus to conduct a march to the Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua, DAP) office. Halfway through the march, the demonstrators were stopped by Brimob officers. They were beaten with wooden planks and kicked on arrest. The majority of the 126 people arrested were university students.

Those detained were made to sit in the hot sun in an open field for several hours. Four people were singled out and brought to Manokwari Regional police station as they reportedly carried sharp weapons, while the rest were released. Three of the four detained were released without charge. Domingus Babika, a UNIPA student, is still believed to be in detention in Manokwari Regional police station.

Jayapura

On 1 May, demonstrators gathered in front of the Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) campus in Waena were forcibly dispersed by Jayapura City police (Polresta Kota Jayapura). 30 people were detained and brought to a police post in Buton village in Jayapura. Three KNPB members, Bazooka Logo, Ogram Wanimbo and Yoner Uwaga were separated from the group and brought to the Papuan Police Headquarters. All 30 detainees have since been released.

Merauke

According to reports by the KNPB, on 1 May, 15 people were arrested in Merauke in relation to 1 May commemorative activities. At 01:00, Merauke Regional police raided KNPB Merauke offices and arrested 13 KNPB members and two community leaders, including Mrs Panggresia Yeem, the Head of the Merauke People’s Local Parliament (Parlemen Rakyat Daerah, PRD). They have since been released without charge.

Kaimana

On 1 May, KNPB and PRD demonstrators who had gathered at the KNPB Kaimana secretariat office to commemorate 1 May were forcibly dispersed by Kaimana Regional police. Police raided the secretariat office and fired warning shots. Police allegedly attempted to burn down the secretariat office, but the fire was put out by KNPB members. Police arrested two KNPB leaders, Ruben Furay and Sepi Surbay, who are still believed to be in detention.

Five detained for three weeks under treason charges

Human rights lawyers with KontraS Papua (Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan Papua) reported the detention of five men for three weeks under treason charges following their meeting with the Indonesian Minister of Defense, General Ryamizard Ryacudu.

On 10 April, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta between General Ryacudu and a four-person delegation from the Independent Papua Committee (Komisi Independen Papua, KIP). The KIP states that it acts as a facilitator for the pro-independence movement Federal Republic State of West Papua (Negara Federal Republik Papua Barat, NFRPB). The meeting between the minister and Dr Don Flassy, Dr Lawrence Mehue, Mas Jhon Ebied Suebu and Onesimus Banundi was facilitated by Heni Tan Fere, a staff member with the Department of National Unity and Politics (Kesatuan Bangsa dan Politik, Kesbangpol) in Papua. The travel costs for the four men to attend the meeting were reportedly paid for by the Defense Ministry. The meeting was reported to have been brief but friendly, with the KIP members handing over several letters explaining the mandate and purpose of the KIP and NFRPB.

On 14 April, the four KIP members returned to Jayapura. A press conference about the meeting with Ryacudu was arranged by Fere to take place the same day. However, before the press conference could commence, the four KIP members and Fere were arrested by police and taken to Jayapura Regional police station. They were told by police that they had been arrested because of information received alleging that they were connected to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Later the same day, they were transferred to the Papuan Police Headquarters where they were interrogated for four hours. Another man, Elias Ayakeding, was also arrested the same day, due to his involvement with KIP.

While Flassy, Mehue and Fere were allowed to return home and instructed to report to the police headquarters the next morning, Suebu, Banundi and Ayakeding remained in detention.

The next day, on 15 April, Flassy and Mehue were charged with treason under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Suebu and Banundi were charged with treason and rebellion under Articles 106 and 108. Ayakeding was charged with treason and incitement under Articles 106 and 160. While Heni Tan Fere was not charged, police stated that she was still under investigation.

On 5 May, KontraS Papua lawyers reported that the five men had been released on bail but remain under city arrest and are obliged to report to the police once a week. They remain at risk of re-arrest and prosecution.

Two men arrested and tortured over possession of pistol in Lanny Jaya

Information received from the Advocacy Network for Upholding Law and Human Rights (Jaringan Advokasi Penegakan Hukum dan HAM Pegunungan Tengah Papua, JAPH&HAM) detailed the detention and torture of two Papuans, Kamori Murib and Kelpis Wenda from Lanny Jaya regency. They were arrested and tortured in relation to the possession of a pistol. Even though Murib was arrested in December 2014 and Wenda in February 2015, human rights workers have only recently managed to obtain information on this case.

The two men intended to hand over a pistol belonging to a deceased relative to Papuan Legislative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua, DPRD) authorities in Puncak Jaya regency. Around the period of the incident, Lukas Enembe, the Governor of Papua province, had urged those in possession of any firearms weapons to hand them over to governmental authorities. The pistol was found by Wenda in a cupboard at a honai (a traditional Papuan house) belonging to their late relative. Arrangmenets were then made for Murib to hand the pistol over to DPRD authorities.

On 9 December 2014, Murib travelled on his motorcycle from Lanny Jaya heading towards Wamena to hand over the pistol belonging to his deceased relative to DPRD authorities. On his way to Wamena, he came across a police roadblock outside Pirime District police station. Fearing that he would appear suspicious as he was carrying a pistol, Murib got off his motorcycle, raised his hands and told police officers that he was carrying a pistol and would like to hand it over to authorities. Upon hearing his admission, police immediately started beating Murib and dragged him into the police station.

Five Brimob officers proceeded to torture him for several hours. After shaving his hair off with a bayonet blade, Brimob officers slashed his head and rubbed the bleeding wound with chilli paste. Following this, scalding water was splashed onto the wound five times. His thighs were slashed four times with bayonet blades. The tip of his left toe, and parts of both his ears were sliced off. He was doused with scalding water resulting in serious burn injuries. He was also beaten in the back and ribs with rifle guns.

Under tight security, Murib was then sent to Wamena General Hospital to undergo medical treatment. While receiving treatment in Wamena, his hands were cuffed, and remained so for more than two months. After receiving treatment, he was taken to Jayawijaya Regional police station to be detained in a holding cell.

The following day, on 10 December 2014, under tight police supervision, he was flown to Jayapura to receive treatment at Bhayangkara Hospital. Murib remained in Bhayangkara Hospital for two months. While there, he underwent further torture and beatings. He was force-fed fish bones and chicken bones and was doused in scalding water three times. Throughout his time in Bhayangkara Hospital, he was kept naked.

On 16 February 2015, Murib was taken to the Papuan Police Headquarters in Jayapura. He was then allowed to wear clothes and his handcuffs were released. After being detained for 40 further days, he was taken back to Wamena. On 27 April Murib’s trial began, but he was too ill to attend the hearing. Doctors in Wamena who examined Murib observed that he was suffering from trauma.

Kelpis Wenda, a friend of Murib’s, was arrested on two separate occasions following Murib’s arrest. As police had not informed Murib’s family of his arrest, Wenda attempted to find out more about his disappearance by querying police officers at Lanny Jaya police station. Police denied any knowledge of Murib’s whereabouts.

Following his attempts to locate Murib, Wenda was first arrested in February 2015. On arrest, he was forced into a vehicle by being dragged along the ground and beaten with rifle butts on his upper abdomen. In detention, he suffered further torture. Two seven centimetre nails were hammered into his left forearms with wooden planks until they reached the bone. He lost two teeth and suffered facial wounds as a result of being beaten on the face with rifle butts. His left big toe was broken and he was beaten on the back with a chair. He was also beaten with wooden planks.

The following day, Wenda was taken to Papuan Police Headquarters in Jayapura for further interrogation. He was taken back to Wamena and released shortly afterwards. However on 17 March 2015, he was arrested again when Murib, while in detention and under torture, admitted that Wenda too knew about the pistol.

Both men are currently awaiting trial while being detained at Wamena prison. It is unclear what charges they are facing.

Arrests and torture of Pirime church members during military and police raid

Reports received from the Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of Franciscans of Papua (Sekretariat Keadilan Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan Fransiskan Papua, SKPKC Jayapura) described a military and police raid in Pirime district in January last year. Three people were reported to have died and three others tortured. Security forces from the army and police reportedly conducted raids in seven villages in Kurilik, Pirime district in retaliation for the alleged theft of eight firearms from Kurilik police post on 24 January 2014.

Two days after the alleged theft, on 26 January 2014, dozens of army and police officers raided a church during Sunday service. According to an eyewitness, security forces forced church attendees to lie on the ground and threatened to kill them. Security forces then reportedly fired shots, resulting in the death of two members of the congregation – Yukilek Tabuni and Tigabut Tabuni. According to the report received, two other people also faced arbitrary violence during the raid. Reverend Pamit Wonda and Les Murib, a village head, were each stabbed several times with bayonet blades. A Papuan woman, Yulina Wonda, was beaten and suffered bruises all over her body.

Oktovianus Tabuni, a 15-year-old boy, and Cabang Tabuni, who was 19 years old, were arrested and detained in a police cell in Puncak Jaya. Security forces tortured the two teenagers to force them to confess to involvement in the theft of firearms that took place on 24 January 2014. Oktovianus was shot eight times in the knee and stomach while Cabang was shot 12 times in the arms, chest and knees. The two teenagers were then taken to Bhayangkara Hospital, in Kota Raja, Jayapura to receive medical treatment for their gunshot injuries.

According to reports from local sources, Cabang was not operated on and intentionally left to die. On 29 July 2014, Cabang died after more than six months of suffering from serious gunshot injuries without receiving sufficient medical treatment. Police allegedly attempted to conduct his funeral without the knowledge of his family and had sought the help of the Head of the Papuan Peoples’ Assembly (Majelis Rakyat Papua, MRP) Timotius Morip to do so. However, Morip refused and informed the deceased’s family, after which, the body was handed over to the care of the family.

Reports described that Oktovianus was operated on in Bhayangkara Hospital, but that he continued to suffer pains in his stomach and knees. After receiving news of the death of Cabang Tabuni, local human rights workers were concerned that if left under the care of the police, Oktovianus too would be left to die of his injuries through insufficient medical care. They bribed 12 police officers and medical staff members in order to be allowed to take Oktovianus out of the hospital in order to seek treatment elsewhere. On 3 August, Oktovianus was secretly taken out of hospital and hidden in a safehouse in Jayapura.

On 5 August, human rights workers took him to Vanimo in Papua New Guinea to obtain surgery for the constant pains in his stomach and knees. When doctors carried out an x-ray on Oktovianus, they found a pair of surgical clamps in his stomach where he had previously been operated on in Bhayangkara Hospital. The following day, Oktovianus received an operation to remove the surgical clamps from his stomach. Human rights workers reported that a small packet, allegedly containing poison, was found attached to the pair of surgical clamps. X-rays of his knees reportedly also indicated signs of chemical poisoning in the nerves. However, doctors were not able to operate on his knees, reportedly due to pressure from the local Vanimo government. The local government had instructed hospital staff not to operate on Oktovianus until his identity was clearly established. Human rights workers stated that West Papuans living in Papua New Guinea are often discriminated against and denied essential services such as medical treatment.

Human rights workers reported that Oktovianus still has not received an operation for his knee injuries. He is also in need of a transfusion following severe blood loss due to injuries suffered.

According to the report by SKPKC Jayapura, 12,000 people remain displaced due to military raids in Pirime districts. There are concerns that they are facing starvation, illness and traumatic stress due to the raids and their subsequent displacement.

Majalah Selangkah journalist arrested for wearing slogan t-shirt

On 30 April, Yohanes Kuayo, a journalist with Papuan news site Majalah Selangkah was arrested in Nabire for wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “Free West Papua”. He was arrested at around 12:00 outside Nabire General Hospital, where he was reporting on three TPN-OPM members who were admitted after being shot by Nabire police. Police confiscated Kuayo’s handphone, laptop and other belongings and brought him to the office of the Nabire Regional Special Police Team (Tim Khusus Polres Nabire). At 12:30, his colleagues arrived at the office and secured his release. When asked for the reason for his arrest, the Commander of the Special Police Team explained that it was because Kuayo wore a shirt with the slogan “Free West Papua” on it. According to international journalism ethics and standards, journalists are required not to wear items of clothing bearing political slogans or affiliations.

Global Day of Action protests in Jayapura and Manokwari curbed; 4 arrested

On 29 April, 22 demonstrations were held across 10 countries calling for free and open access to Papua for international journalists, human rights observers and humanitarian agencies. While protests in other cities were allowed to take place, protests in Jayapura and Manokwari were curbed.

Jayapura

According to a report from the Papuan Student Youth Movement (Gerakan Mahasiswa Pemuda Rakyat Papua, GempaR) who organised the demonstration in Jayapura, police forbade demonstrators from conducting a long march. Student demonstrators originally intended to march from their campuses in Waena and Abepura to the offices of the Papuan Legislative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua, DPRD) where they would hold speeches. Due to this restriction, demonstrators were forced to hold a static demonstration which was heavily guarded by fully-armed police officers. Even though GempaR demonstrators submitted a notice of demonstration to police a week before the protest, they were told that they had no permission to demonstrate and would be forcibly dispersed if they attempted to carry on with their march to the DPRD office.

Manokwari

Information from LP3BH (Institute for Research, Investigation and Development of Legal Aid in Manokwari, Lembaga Penelitian, Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Bantuan Hukum) described the detention of four students on 29 April who participated in a demonstration in Manokwari. They were released several hours later.

As an act of solidarity with the Global Day of Action, on 29 April, LP3BH put up a banner of support outside their offices in Manokwari. The same day, Semuel Yensenem, an LP3BH staff member, was reportedly followed by intelligence officers when he left the office. The following day, an army officer from the Manokwari Military District Command (Komando Distrik Militer, Kodim) visited the LP3BH office. He questioned Yensenem regarding LP3BH’s activities and funding and left shortly afterwards.

Three arrested for cleaning memorial park

On 28 April, three men were arbitrarily arrested by Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers while they were cleaning a flower park in Nabire. Majalah Selangkah reported that Martinus Pigai, Anton Pigome and Marthen Iyai were cleaning the park in preparation for a prayer service to be held in the park in commemoration of 100 days of the passing of church leader Father Nato Gobay, as well as a socialisation event on alcohol addiction and HIV/AIDS organised to take place in early May. The three men were released without charge the following day.

Human rights activist Yones Douw told Majalah Selangkah that police had arrested the three men under suspicion of their involvement in 1 May-related commemorative activities. Douw also noted that the flower park, known as the “Papuan Peoples’ Flower Park”, was previously a well-known spot for political activity.

Releases

According to local human rights sources, on 22 March 2015, human rights activist Lendeng Omu was released from Wamena prison. On 21 May 2014, Omu was arrested Yahukimo Regional police in relation to his affiliations with the KNPB. He was severely beaten, kicked and struck with rifle butts before being arrested and detained in Yahukimo Regional police station. He had been sentenced to one years’ imprisonment for maltreatment under charges of Article 351 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

Sarmi treason detainees released

Information received from local sources reported that Isak Demetouw (alias Alex Makabori), Niko Sasomar and Sileman Teno were released in April following the end of their prison sentences. The three men were sentenced alongside one other person, Daniel Norotouw, for conspiracy to commit treason and possession of weapons. On 1 February 2014, Norotouw, was released after the completion of his one year prison sentence. Local sources reported that security forces had charged them under fabricated evidence.

Political trials and cases overview

On 22 April, Edison Werimon and Soleman Fonetaba were each sentenced to one-and-a-half-years’ city arrest minus time already spent in detention after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason. City arrest forbids them from leaving Sarmi regency. As they have already been under city arrest since 23 July 2014, their sentences would end on 23 January 2016. The two men have since submitted an appeal on their sentences to the Sarmi High Court.

Report on Yahukimo fundraising case reveals more than a hundred arrests, dozens tortured

Information received from the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) reported that from 19 to 21 March, more than a hundred people were arrested and dozens tortured in relation to a week-long fundraising event for Cyclone Pam victims in Vanuatu. In our March update, we reported on the arrests of at least 21 people and the shooting of at least six people by Papuan National Police (Polda Papua) and Mobile Brigade (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers. Updated information confirms that more were arrested and tortured than previously thought, and that the situation in Yahukimo remains unstable.

According to the report, witnesses described the mass arrests of more than a hundred people from 19 to 21 March. The report contains information on six people who were shot and 26 people who were tortured in detention, amongst others. Seven of those who were arrested and suffered torture or ill-treatment were women. Testimony from one of the detainees described how they were repeatedly tortured for two days by rotating groups of police officers. A police officer reportedly mocked the detainees by holding up a bible, asking for “God to help them” and then proceeding to tear the bible up.

The report also described how from 19 to 21 March, Yahukimo police and army officers provided shelter and food to non-Papuans during search operations in the homes of indigenous Papuan families. Local sources estimated that around 8,000 indigenous Papuans have fled the violence in Yahukimo and remain displaced.

Cases of Concern

Police attempt to disperse ULMWP seminar in Kaimana

On 14 April, police attempted to disperse a United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) socialisation seminar in Kaimana Regency. The seminar, attended by political, religious and indigenous leaders, was interrupted by Kaimana Regional police officers. Police attempted to confiscate ULMWP material, including megaphones, seminar material and printed billboards. After two hours of negotiation with the police, the seminar was allowed to continue.

News

Global Day of Action in 22 cities urges free and open access to Papua

On 29 April, hundreds of demonstrators from 22 cities in 10 different countries protested against West Papua’s 50-year long isolation. Demonstrators called on the Indonesian government to open access to Papua for international journalists, human rights observers and humanitarian agencies. Rallies took place in Jayapura, Manokwari, Wamena, Jakarta, London, Honiara, Melbourne, New York, Berlin and Paris, amongst others. In conjunction with the worldwide event, coined the ‘Global Day of Action for Papua’, a joint letter signed by 52 organisations and parliamentarians was sent to President Joko Widodo demanding free and open access to Papua and to end violence against journalists in West Papua.

* While these detainees have been bailed and are not currently behind bars, they continue to face charges and are currently undergoing investigation. As they are vulnerable to re-arrest, we will continue to monitor any developments in these cases.

More than 40 organisations in West Papua, Jakarta and worldwide have brought their analysis on the human rights and conflict situation in West Papua together. The executive summary of the 218-pages report explains how several human rights standards have deteriorated over the last two years. The report is compiled by the International Coalition for Papua (ICP) and the German Westpapua-Netzwerk (WPN).

Political activist, Oktovianus Warnares was convicted of “rebellion” (makar) in 2013 after peacefully commemorating the 50th anniversary of the handover of Papua to the Indonesian government. He is a prisoner of conscience and should be immediately and unconditionally released.